S.S

• Kings, Rajwadas, and Nawabs contributed in the making of a strong, integrated, and prosperous India
• The Article for India's Independence was passed in the British Parliament

  1947
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel appealed to the Kings and Nawabs of the Princely states to voluntarily forsake their respective states in the interest of their subjects and the Union of India
• Hyderabad declared its independence

  Ultimate merger with the Union of India by using police force on 18 September 1948
• 48% of Princely states had stakes in the total area of India
• 20% of India's population resided in the Princely states
• There were Princely states which were too small and were as village in form
• Big Princely states

  • Kashmir
  • Hyderabad
  • Mysore
• Bhavnagar State merging with United Saurashtra State

  15 February, 1948
• Nawab of Junagadh wrote an instrument of accession to join Pakistan

  Counter measures taken by Sardar Patel, leading to the eventual inclusion of Junagadh in the Union of India
• Major problems before the country post-Independence

  • Framing the constitution of India
  • Putting an end to the sovereignty of the British Empire on the Princely states and merging them into making an intact India
• Maharaja of Bhavnagar, Krushna Kumarsinh, starting responsible Government


  15 January, 1948
• India and Pakistan got their existence according to the Article for India's Independence
• There were 562 Princely states post-Independence
• Except Kashmir, Hyderabad, and Junagadh, 559 Princely states accepted the instrument of accession and joined the Union of India
• Jawaharlal Nehru: 'The event of formation of United Saurashtra State was described as the most notable merger in contemporary history'
• One clause in the instrument of accession was that after restoration of normal situation in Kashmir, a plebiscite would be held for permanent merger with India
• Junagadh merger with the union of India was made possible owing to Sardar Patel's guts and tremendous will of people of Junagadh
• Raja Harisingh requested military assistance to protect Jammu and Kashmir against Pakistani attack
• India emerged as an independent and sovereign state


  January 26, 1950
• Raja Harisingh of Kashmir was indecisive
• India registered a complaint against Pakistan in the Security Council of the United Nations
• Kashmir issue remains contentious in the relations between India and Pakistan
• Pakistan had already occupied one third portion of Kashmir
• Kashmir issue was the most complicated
• Pakistan attacked Kashmir
• Indian army protected Kashmir immediately after Raja Harisingh signed the letter
• Referendum of the people of Junagadh was taken

  9th of November, 1947
• Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh are under control of Pakistan but legally belong to India
• Government of India insisted that Raja Harisingh should first sign the instrument of accession before Indian army could be sent
• Towards the end of 1948, political unity of India was established by various historical and non-violent movements
• French-controlled Diu, Daman, and Goa were appealed to merge with India
• Security Council suggested a cease-fire